In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 84 No funding? Then we can only play rogue to a new level

"It only takes a 6-micron manufacturing process! The entire chip only integrates 8000 transistors. The lab should be able to manufacture it, right?"

Xie Wei became anxious.

Damn it, the original world was strangled by chips.

Taking into account the poor technical foundation, I came up with a reduced instruction set architecture. The main work of the computer department is to design and develop various reduced instructions and design layered circuits.

It is only an 8-bit chip, with only twice as many transistors as the 74 chip launched by Intel in 8080, an operating clock frequency of 2.86MHz, an addressing space of 128KB, and 48 pins...

Compared with the 8080's computing speed of 29 times per second, the computing speed of this chip has not doubled just because it has twice as many transistors.

According to Xie Wei's estimate, the computing speed is only 38 times per second.

Now, Yu Guofeng told himself that he had designed it but could not manufacture it.

What to do?
Many of Xie Wei’s plans require chips. It can be said that all plans revolve around chips.

Without chips, not only will the calculator be stillborn, but even the radio stations, subsequent fighter-related control systems, PLC, CNC and other projects will be seriously affected.

We must never let chips become a stumbling block in this era again!

“What if we lower some of the performance requirements?”

Xie Wei asked through gritted teeth.

First solve the problem of whether or not there is a solution, then consider improving technical performance.

"Xie Wei, the domestic small-scale integrated circuits have just made a breakthrough, and they are already large-scale integrated circuits. If we can make this chip, the National University of Defense Technology's exascale computer project will be easy."

Yu Guofeng, who personally helped Xie Wei improve the chip circuit, was well aware of the excellent performance of this chip.

The problem is, it can’t be manufactured!

"No! No!"

Listening to Yu Guofeng's introduction to the domestic semiconductor industry, Xie Wei always felt that there was something wrong.

Xie Wei, who was not in the semiconductor industry before, started a business in a related field and achieved financial freedom, studied the development history of domestic semiconductors when his company's chips were blocked by foreign countries.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, domestic integrated circuit manufacturing technology was inferior to that of foreign countries, but the gap was limited.

The reason for its decline is that the basic supporting facilities have not kept up, the large-scale production capacity is insufficient and the quality is poor. In addition, the influx of foreign products has snatched the market, making it even more difficult for related companies to obtain research and development funds.

Data shows that between the 70s and 80s, the relevant chip manufacturers produced only a few hundred CPU chips per month, and the number of qualified chips was less than double digits.

This means that the pass rate of these factories is less than 1%!

In the planned economy era, chip users were the military, aerospace, etc. As long as the performance was met and the output and yield requirements were not high, the cost could be considered.

With the reform and opening up, foreign chips have entered the market on a large scale. How can domestic chips, which cost many times more, compete?

"What's wrong?"

Yu Guofeng asked Xie Wei.

"I heard that the 14-bit shift memory designed by Shanghai Radio Factory No. 1024 has 8820 integrated components and is fully capable of producing the chips I need!"

"That costs money. If we only produce a few pieces, they won't accept it if their production capacity is tight."

Yu Guofeng sighed: They are indeed young people.

As the head of the Computer Department, Yu Guofeng was relatively familiar with Shanghai Radio Factory No. 14. Even if the school sent a letter, he would probably have to wait.

"Director Yu, we have to go to Shanghai."

Xie Wei said seriously.

If we have to do it again, we must never let chips hold us back again.

no way!

Although Xie Wei was not willing to travel far away in this era, he really couldn't wait any longer.

Even though he knew that by the 80s, the fourth-generation distributed projection lithography machine with a precision of 3 microns developed by Tsinghua University would be successful, he still couldn't wait.

Computer technology is developing rapidly.

With high-performance chips, the progress of many research projects will be accelerated and technology will develop faster.

It is impossible for foreign countries to provide high-performance chips.

"Going to Shanghai? You can't do that without money."

Yu Guofeng had a bitter smile on his face.

"Director Yu, please help me arrange a letter of introduction and train tickets. Let's go to Shanghai as soon as possible. I'll go ask the principal for money."

Without caring whether Yu Guofeng agreed or not, he turned and walked out.

"This kid! Such a big reaction, is there something I don't understand?"

Seeing Xie Wei's intense reaction, Yu Guofeng was puzzled. He looked at his departing figure, shook his head and sighed, "It's not that easy to get the principal's money! Wait until you get the money, and then make the arrangements!"

Li Rui was about to go out when Xie Wei appeared.

Seeing Xie Wei, Li Rui felt a headache.

This kid never comes to me for no reason, unlike Wei Bingkun, the league secretary of the experimental class, who comes to me for instructions and work reports no matter when he has something to do.

Principal Li doesn't want to see opportunists like Wei Bingkun; and he is even more unwilling to see Xie Wei, who never asks for instructions or reports and always demands policies or funds.

"Is there something? Let's talk later. I have to go to a meeting." Li Rui walked out.

He didn't even want to ask what Xie Wei wanted him to do.

Xie Wei directly reached out to stop him: "Principal, give me the funds in your hand, and I will leave immediately."

"Robbery?"

Li Rui looked at Xie Wei in disbelief.

Give him all the funds you have?
"I allow you to reconsider and say it again."

You usually give me too much face, but now you have become so arrogant that you can't tell the difference between a big king and a small king?

Principal Li's face looked a little unhappy.

"The chips needed for the calculator cannot be produced in the school laboratory. I have to go to Shanghai Radio Factory No. 14 with Director Yu and the money."

Xie Wei also knew that he was too impatient and hurried to explain.

"A chip costs millions? Boy, do you think our school makes money? Don't take millions seriously!"

Li Rui became famous.

Young people who don’t manage a household don’t know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are.

How many key projects in the school are waiting for funding?

Principal Li shamelessly begged for 300 million yuan from the ministry, but less than three months later, after weighing various considerations and slamming the table in his confrontation with the department heads and professors, he was left with only 120 million yuan.

"It was 180 million before, for a total of 21 key subjects and projects that the country urgently needs. You want 170 million for a chip? We don't have the money!"

Li Rui didn't even have the heart to continue talking to Xie Wei.

Just want to leave.

Xie Wei blocked his way and refused to let him go: "Principal, advanced computers are the future! Aerospace guidance systems, fighter jet fire control radars, control systems, mechatronics, automation, and other related scientific research all require advanced chips..."

"That's something the computer industry needs to think about! Get out of here now, I have to go to a meeting."

At this moment, Xie Wei is no longer a treasure.

Principal Li pushed Xie Wei aside and walked out.

Xie Wei didn't make any noise and followed Li Rui silently.

"Young man, you have a bright future ahead of you. Don't learn from Du Guowang and the others! Otherwise, when you become a big leader or a great scientist, people will mention your rogue behavior when you are young. Tsk tsk tsk ..."

"Boss, I promise I won't disturb you~"

Xie Weicai doesn't care whether he will be embarrassed in the future or not.

If he takes action now, he can still save the chip industry which is not much worse than that of foreign countries, especially since he has come up with the Loongson architecture.

Li Rui snorted coldly, his face full of disdain: "I am immune to the rogue behavior of Du Guowang and others. Can you be more rogue than them?"

Xie Wei just grinned and didn't refute.

While Li Rui was in a meeting, Xie Wei was waiting outside, thinking in his mind which domestic units currently had a good technical foundation in the semiconductor and chip fields, and how to help them solve problems such as poor quality and high costs as much as possible in the future.

After Li Rui finished the meeting, Xie Wei followed him back to the office and diligently helped Li Rui serve tea and water.

Seeing that Xie Wei did not bang the table, did not disturb others, and adhered to the policy of non-violent non-cooperation, Principal Li was happy to enjoy his service.

Wu Tao left in a hurry and the new secretary had not been appointed yet.

When Li Rui went out, Xie Wei followed him.

This happened for three consecutive days.

Even Principal Li was getting used to having Xie Wei around and was planning to use him as his secretary.

When following Li Rui, Xie Wei would take the initiative to say hello to teachers and school leaders, whether he knew them or not.

"Hey, Xie Wei, Wu Tao is gone, are you going to take his place?"

Du Guowang was surprised to see Xie Wei following Li Rui.

"I just learned this from you, a shameless person like you, and I'm just being a scoundrel!"

Li Rui glared at Du Guowang.

"???"

Director Du was confused.

What does this have to do with you?
"This kid is far inferior to Du Guowang and his friends in this area."

On the afternoon of the third day, after dinner, Xie Wei left, and Principal Li smiled victoriously.

As soon as the smile appeared, it froze: Xie Wei, hugging the quilt, appeared at the office door.

"Boss, starting tonight, I will sleep on the floor at your doorstep."

Xie Wei's words, spoken with a smile, immediately chilled Li Rui's heart.

Thinking of what Xie Wei was going to do, Li Rui jumped up from his chair, pointed at Xie Wei, and angrily shouted with a twisted face: "Xie Wei, even asking for funds is not as shameless as you! You are simply playing rogue to a new level!"

(End of this chapter)